{"id":4454,"date":"2026-09-13T12:47:09","date_gmt":"2026-09-13T12:47:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=4454"},"modified":"2026-09-13T12:47:09","modified_gmt":"2026-09-13T12:47:09","slug":"rangers-vs-celtic-key-talking-points-ahead-of-first-old-firm-clash-of-season-with-league-cup-semi-final-spot-at-stake-football-news-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=4454","title":{"rendered":"Rangers vs Celtic: Key talking points ahead of first Old Firm clash of season with League Cup semi-final spot at stake | Football News"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div data-component-name=\"ui-article-body\" data-testid=\"article-body\" data-highlight-intro=\"true\">\n<p>It is the first Old Firm clash of the season and there is a League Cup semi-final place at stake.<\/p>\n<p>Rangers host Celtic at Ibrox on Sunday with a Scottish Premiership meeting across the city just seven days later, live on Sky Sports.<\/p>\n<p>While the Hoops have won all six of their league games this season, Rangers have won their last four after a slow start.<\/p>\n<p>There is far more than just bragging rights at stake on Sunday. Rangers have not won silverware since 2024 and Celtic will want to reclaim the only domestic trophy that eluded them last season.<\/p>\n<h3>Can McInnes handle the Old Firm pressure?<\/h3>\n<p>The last time Derek McInnes came face-to-face with Martin O&#8217;Neill was in last season&#8217;s Premiership title decider, when he suffered an agonising defeat in what would turn out to be his last match as Hearts head coach.<\/p>\n<p>The 55-year-old is no stranger to high-pressure games and has come up against the Hoops 61 times as a manager, winning 10 of them.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sdc-article-widget sdc-article-image\" data-testid=\"article-image\">\n<figure class=\"sdc-article-image__figure\">\n<div class=\"sdc-article-image__wrapper\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\">\n          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sdc-article-image__item\" loading=\"lazy\" intrinsicsize=\"768x432\" src=\"https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/09\/768x432\/skysports-derek-mcinnes-martin_7347964.jpg?20260911125358\" srcset=\"https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/09\/384x216\/skysports-derek-mcinnes-martin_7347964.jpg?20260911125358 380w, https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/09\/768x432\/skysports-derek-mcinnes-martin_7347964.jpg?20260911125358 760w, https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/09\/1600x900\/skysports-derek-mcinnes-martin_7347964.jpg?20260911125358 1024w, https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/09\/2048x1152\/skysports-derek-mcinnes-martin_7347964.jpg?20260911125358 2048w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1024px) 1024px, 100vw\" alt=\"Derek McInnes (L) last faced Martin O'Neill with Hearts in May \" data-testid=\"article-image-image\"\/>\n    <\/div><figcaption class=\"ui-media-caption\" data-testid=\"article-image-caption\">\n        <span class=\"u-hide-visually\">Image:<\/span><br \/>\n        <span class=\"ui-media-caption__caption-text\" data-testid=\"article-image-caption-text\">Derek McInnes (L) last faced Martin O&#8217;Neill with Hearts in May<br \/>\n        <\/span><br \/>\n      <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>He experienced victory in his only Old Firm appearance as a Gers player, but Sunday will be his first taste of the fixture in the dugout.<\/p>\n<p>In contrast, O&#8217;Neill is well-versed in leading Celtic in one of the fiercest derbies in football and his record is respectable to say the least.<\/p>\n<p>In his 28 matches against the Gers, the Northern Irishman has won 16.<\/p>\n<h3>Selection issues for both managers<\/h3>\n<div class=\"sdc-article-widget sdc-article-image\" data-testid=\"article-image\">\n<figure class=\"sdc-article-image__figure\">\n<div class=\"sdc-article-image__wrapper\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\">\n          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sdc-article-image__item\" loading=\"lazy\" intrinsicsize=\"768x432\" src=\"https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/09\/768x432\/skysports-bojan-miovski-rangers_7346529.jpg?20260911131103\" srcset=\"https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/09\/384x216\/skysports-bojan-miovski-rangers_7346529.jpg?20260911131103 380w, https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/09\/768x432\/skysports-bojan-miovski-rangers_7346529.jpg?20260911131103 760w, https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/09\/1600x900\/skysports-bojan-miovski-rangers_7346529.jpg?20260911131103 1024w, https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/09\/2048x1152\/skysports-bojan-miovski-rangers_7346529.jpg?20260911131103 2048w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1024px) 1024px, 100vw\" alt=\"Bojan Miovski (C) scored Rangers' winner in midweek, while Ryan Naderi (R) started at Ibrox\" data-testid=\"article-image-image\"\/>\n    <\/div><figcaption class=\"ui-media-caption\" data-testid=\"article-image-caption\">\n        <span class=\"u-hide-visually\">Image:<\/span><br \/>\n        <span class=\"ui-media-caption__caption-text\" data-testid=\"article-image-caption-text\">Bojan Miovski (C) scored Rangers&#8217; winner in midweek, while Ryan Naderi (R) started at Ibrox<br \/>\n        <\/span><br \/>\n      <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>One of McInnes&#8217; decisions will likely be who starts up front in the absence of captain Lawrence Shankland and fellow striker Youssef Chermiti.<\/p>\n<p>Ryan Naderi kept his place for their midweek win against St Mirren as a reward for scoring the winner vs Motherwell after coming on for the injured Shankland.<\/p>\n<p>He played the full game, but it was substitute Bojan Miovski who netted the only goal. Could it bring the former Aberdeen striker into McInnes&#8217; starting line-up?<\/p>\n<p>Kevin Kelsy made his first start since his \u00a39m deadline day move from Portland Timbers and will also be in the manager&#8217;s thoughts. He has yet to find the net in a Rangers top, so would the intensity of an Old Firm clash be the place for him to shine?<\/p>\n<div class=\"sdc-article-widget sdc-article-image\" data-testid=\"article-image\">\n<figure class=\"sdc-article-image__figure\">\n<div class=\"sdc-article-image__wrapper\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\">\n          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sdc-article-image__item\" loading=\"lazy\" intrinsicsize=\"768x432\" src=\"https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/09\/768x432\/skysports-kevin-kelsy-rangers_7345204.jpg?20260908153848\" srcset=\"https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/09\/384x216\/skysports-kevin-kelsy-rangers_7345204.jpg?20260908153848 380w, https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/09\/768x432\/skysports-kevin-kelsy-rangers_7345204.jpg?20260908153848 760w, https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/09\/1600x900\/skysports-kevin-kelsy-rangers_7345204.jpg?20260908153848 1024w, https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/09\/2048x1152\/skysports-kevin-kelsy-rangers_7345204.jpg?20260908153848 2048w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1024px) 1024px, 100vw\" alt=\"Kevin Kelsy joined Rangers on Deadline Day\" data-testid=\"article-image-image\"\/>\n    <\/div><figcaption class=\"ui-media-caption\" data-testid=\"article-image-caption\">\n        <span class=\"u-hide-visually\">Image:<\/span><br \/>\n        <span class=\"ui-media-caption__caption-text\" data-testid=\"article-image-caption-text\">Kevin Kelsy joined Rangers on Deadline Day<br \/>\n        <\/span><br \/>\n      <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>O&#8217;Neill made five changes for Celtic&#8217;s midweek win at St Johnstone as he rested some key players ahead of Sunday&#8217;s clash.<\/p>\n<p>Camilo Duran, who has scored six goals this season, is set to return to the starting XI after the manager admitted they missed him in Perth.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sdc-article-widget sdc-article-image\" data-testid=\"article-image\">\n<figure class=\"sdc-article-image__figure\">\n<div class=\"sdc-article-image__wrapper\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\">\n          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sdc-article-image__item\" loading=\"lazy\" intrinsicsize=\"768x432\" src=\"https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/09\/768x432\/skysports-kasper-hogh-camilo_7345246.jpg?20260908162108\" srcset=\"https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/09\/384x216\/skysports-kasper-hogh-camilo_7345246.jpg?20260908162108 380w, https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/09\/768x432\/skysports-kasper-hogh-camilo_7345246.jpg?20260908162108 760w, https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/09\/1600x900\/skysports-kasper-hogh-camilo_7345246.jpg?20260908162108 1024w, https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/09\/2048x1152\/skysports-kasper-hogh-camilo_7345246.jpg?20260908162108 2048w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1024px) 1024px, 100vw\" alt=\"Camilo Duran (L) and Kasper Hogh have scored nine goals between them since joining Celtic\" data-testid=\"article-image-image\"\/>\n    <\/div><figcaption class=\"ui-media-caption\" data-testid=\"article-image-caption\">\n        <span class=\"u-hide-visually\">Image:<\/span><br \/>\n        <span class=\"ui-media-caption__caption-text\" data-testid=\"article-image-caption-text\">Camilo Duran (L) and Kasper Hogh have scored nine goals between them since joining Celtic<br \/>\n        <\/span><br \/>\n      <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>He came on to replace Haissem Hassan and played on the right while Kasper Hogh, returning from injury, was preferred in the central attacking role.<\/p>\n<p>Will O&#8217;Neill drop the Dane in favour of Duran through the middle, or will he decide to play them both at Ibrox?<\/p>\n<p>Cameron Carter-Vickers was rested completely in midweek after starting every match so far this season. Dane Murray put in a solid performance in his absence, but will the experience of Carter-Vickers be preferred by O&#8217;Neill?<\/p>\n<p>Wolves loanee Sam Johnstone was selected ahead of regular goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo and made a fine save at 0-0.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sdc-article-widget sdc-article-image\" data-testid=\"article-image\">\n<figure class=\"sdc-article-image__figure\">\n<div class=\"sdc-article-image__wrapper\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\">\n          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sdc-article-image__item\" loading=\"lazy\" intrinsicsize=\"768x432\" src=\"https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/09\/768x432\/skysports-celtic-st-johnstone_7346454.jpg?20260909203522\" srcset=\"https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/09\/384x216\/skysports-celtic-st-johnstone_7346454.jpg?20260909203522 380w, https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/09\/768x432\/skysports-celtic-st-johnstone_7346454.jpg?20260909203522 760w, https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/09\/1600x900\/skysports-celtic-st-johnstone_7346454.jpg?20260909203522 1024w, https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/09\/2048x1152\/skysports-celtic-st-johnstone_7346454.jpg?20260909203522 2048w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1024px) 1024px, 100vw\" alt=\"Sam Johnstone denied Joe Cotterill with a big save\" data-testid=\"article-image-image\"\/>\n    <\/div><figcaption class=\"ui-media-caption\" data-testid=\"article-image-caption\">\n        <span class=\"u-hide-visually\">Image:<\/span><br \/>\n        <span class=\"ui-media-caption__caption-text\" data-testid=\"article-image-caption-text\">Sam Johnstone denied Joe Cotterill with a big save<br \/>\n        <\/span><br \/>\n      <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Given his performance and clean sheet, will O&#8217;Neill stick with the England international in the fierce Ibrox atmosphere?<\/p>\n<h3>No away fans<\/h3>\n<p>Only Rangers fans are allowed in the 50,000-capacity Ibrox for the League Cup quarter-final against Celtic <a href=\"http:\/\/www.skysports.com\/football\/news\/36621\/13581296\/celtic-and-rangers-away-fans-barred-from-all-old-firm-premiership-and-league-cup-games-this-season\">at the order of the authorities amid a ticket allocation spat between the two Glasgow giants<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Both clubs had previously agreed that an away ticket allocation of five per cent would be in place for all SPFL games at both grounds.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sdc-article-widget sdc-article-image\" data-testid=\"article-image\">\n<figure class=\"sdc-article-image__figure\">\n<div class=\"sdc-article-image__wrapper\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\">\n          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sdc-article-image__item\" loading=\"lazy\" intrinsicsize=\"768x432\" src=\"https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/08\/768x432\/skysports-celtic-rangers-fans_7333548.jpg?20260828120836\" srcset=\"https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/08\/384x216\/skysports-celtic-rangers-fans_7333548.jpg?20260828120836 380w, https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/08\/768x432\/skysports-celtic-rangers-fans_7333548.jpg?20260828120836 760w, https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/08\/1600x900\/skysports-celtic-rangers-fans_7333548.jpg?20260828120836 1024w, https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/08\/2048x1152\/skysports-celtic-rangers-fans_7333548.jpg?20260828120836 2048w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1024px) 1024px, 100vw\" alt=\"There will be no Celtic fans at Sunday's Old Firm game\" data-testid=\"article-image-image\"\/>\n    <\/div><figcaption class=\"ui-media-caption\" data-testid=\"article-image-caption\">\n        <span class=\"u-hide-visually\">Image:<\/span><br \/>\n        <span class=\"ui-media-caption__caption-text\" data-testid=\"article-image-caption-text\">There will be no Celtic fans at Sunday&#8217;s Old Firm game<br \/>\n        <\/span><br \/>\n      <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>However, following the on-pitch clashes between fans after their Scottish Cup match in March and an independent review, those arrangements were reconsidered.<\/p>\n<p>The Hoops have been to Govan without any of their own fans before and won, so there will likely not be as big a concern from the Parkhead support this time around.<\/p>\n<h3>What the managers have had to say<\/h3>\n<div class=\"sdc-article-widget sdc-site-video sdc-article-widget callfn\" data-account-id=\"6057984924001\" data-amp-iframe-embed=\"\" data-asset-id=\"d8f0dd3e-6ee0-410b-8b82-a96c8797e83a\" data-asset-path=\"\" data-asset-version=\"\" data-autoplay=\"false\" data-auth-config=\"{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/api.condatis.sky\\\/auth\\\/video\\\/token&quot;,&quot;tokenRequired&quot;:true,&quot;fetchMethod&quot;:&quot;url&quot;,&quot;fetchOptions&quot;:{&quot;encoded&quot;:true},&quot;headers&quot;:{&quot;X-SkyGDP-Proposition&quot;:&quot;sportweb&quot;,&quot;X-SkyGDP-Territory&quot;:&quot;GB&quot;,&quot;Authorization&quot;:&quot;OGY5ZDgxZjRhNzYwNGQ3MTljMjFhMDJlOGVmODRhYzA=&quot;}}\" data-caption=\"Derek McInnes looks ahead to Sunday's Old Firm League Cup clash at Ibrox as he prepares to face Celtic for the first time as Rangers manager.\" data-clip-type=\"\" data-component-name=\"sdc-site-video\" data-component-name-alias=\"ui-sitewide-video\" data-competition=\"\" data-copy-url-text=\"URL copied to clipboard\" data-fn=\"sdc-site-video\" data-id=\"id_d8f0dd3e-6ee0-410b-8b82-a96c8797e83a\" data-is-live-stream=\"false\" data-lite=\"true\" data-options=\"\" data-originator-id=\"-1\" data-originator-handle=\"brightcove-sport-gb\" data-package-name=\"\" data-provider=\"brightcove\" data-player-id=\"DESF5xFjJ\" data-playsinline=\"\" data-sensitive=\"\" data-sdc-id=\"7347110\" data-sdc-video-id=\"d8f0dd3e-6ee0-410b-8b82-a96c8797e83a\" data-sport-category=\"\" data-state=\"loading\" data-token-state=\"none\" data-video-ad-unit=\"videoplayer\" data-video-blacklisted-originator-ids=\"\" data-video-id=\"ref:d8f0dd3e-6ee0-410b-8b82-a96c8797e83a\" data-video-type=\"\" data-auto-pause-on-not-visible=\"\" data-defer-source=\"\" tabindex=\"-1\" data-closed-captions-position=\"\" data-show-closed-captions=\"true\" data-show-pip=\"\" data-show-live-stream-scrubber=\"\" data-autoload=\"\" data-testid=\"sitewide-video\">\n<div class=\"sdc-site-video__inner\">\n<div class=\"sdc-site-video__content\" data-role=\"bridge-controller\" style=\"padding-bottom: calc(100% \/ ());\">\n<p class=\"sdc-site-video__accessibility-message\" data-role=\"accessibility-message\">Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player<\/p>\n<p>          <span aria-hidden=\"true\" data-role=\"poster\" class=\"sdc-site-video__poster\"><br \/>\n            <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/09\/768x432\/skysports-mcinnes-rangers-derek_7347117.jpg?20260910145039\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/09\/768x432\/skysports-mcinnes-rangers-derek_7347117.jpg?20260910145039 600w,https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/09\/1600x900\/skysports-mcinnes-rangers-derek_7347117.jpg?20260910145039\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sdc-site-video__poster-img excluded-image\" data-testid=\"sitewide-video-poster\"\/><br \/>\n          <span class=\"sdc-site-video__loader\" data-testid=\"sitewide-video-loader\"\/><\/p>\n<p>          <\/span><\/p>\n<p>          <video id=\"id_d8f0dd3e-6ee0-410b-8b82-a96c8797e83a\" data-embed=\"default\" data-application-id=\"\" class=\"video-js sdc-site-video__tag\" controls=\"\" playsinline=\"\" data-testid=\"sitewide-video-video\"\/>\n        <\/div><figcaption class=\"sdc-site-video__caption ui-media-caption\">\n<p>          <span class=\"ui-media-caption__caption-text\" data-role=\"caption-text\" data-testid=\"sitewide-video-caption\">Derek McInnes looks ahead to Sunday&#8217;s Old Firm League Cup clash at Ibrox as he prepares to face Celtic for the first time as Rangers manager.<\/span><br \/>\n        <\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><em><strong>Rangers<\/strong> manager <strong>Derek McInnes<\/strong>:<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I think we&#8217;ve got to bring the crowd with us.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You&#8217;re not going to play Celtic and dominate the game for 90 minutes. We&#8217;ll have spells, they&#8217;ll have spells, it&#8217;s just the way it is.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I think it&#8217;s important that we tap into having that 50,000 behind us and be behind the players, support them, have their backs, not be on their backs and really make it as tough for Celtic as possible.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ve got our part to play in that and I felt that if we can capitalise on good play and good opportunities, which we didn&#8217;t do last night and we didn&#8217;t do against Motherwell (also won 1-0) obviously, if we can get ourselves in front, give the crowd something to get behind, then I think the strength of our club can be shown.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I think if the 50,000 can be utilised and we can have the strength of performance in the team that will help the team, it will be difficult to stop.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Celtic<\/strong> manager <strong>Martin O&#8217;Neill<\/strong>:<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"sdc-article-widget sdc-site-video sdc-article-widget callfn\" data-account-id=\"6057984924001\" data-amp-iframe-embed=\"\" data-asset-id=\"ede24a18-64c6-4e4e-93c8-9a490c8b0af1\" data-asset-path=\"\" data-asset-version=\"\" data-autoplay=\"false\" data-auth-config=\"{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/api.condatis.sky\\\/auth\\\/video\\\/token&quot;,&quot;tokenRequired&quot;:true,&quot;fetchMethod&quot;:&quot;url&quot;,&quot;fetchOptions&quot;:{&quot;encoded&quot;:true},&quot;headers&quot;:{&quot;X-SkyGDP-Proposition&quot;:&quot;sportweb&quot;,&quot;X-SkyGDP-Territory&quot;:&quot;GB&quot;,&quot;Authorization&quot;:&quot;OGY5ZDgxZjRhNzYwNGQ3MTljMjFhMDJlOGVmODRhYzA=&quot;}}\" data-caption=\"Celtic manager Martin O'Neill admits it will be strange to face Rangers at Ibrox with no away fans after the SPFL imposed a ban.\" data-clip-type=\"\" data-component-name=\"sdc-site-video\" data-component-name-alias=\"ui-sitewide-video\" data-competition=\"\" data-copy-url-text=\"URL copied to clipboard\" data-fn=\"sdc-site-video\" data-id=\"id_ede24a18-64c6-4e4e-93c8-9a490c8b0af1\" data-is-live-stream=\"false\" data-lite=\"true\" data-options=\"\" data-originator-id=\"-1\" data-originator-handle=\"brightcove-sport-gb\" data-package-name=\"\" data-provider=\"brightcove\" data-player-id=\"DESF5xFjJ\" data-playsinline=\"\" data-sensitive=\"\" data-sdc-id=\"7348071\" data-sdc-video-id=\"ede24a18-64c6-4e4e-93c8-9a490c8b0af1\" data-sport-category=\"\" data-state=\"loading\" data-token-state=\"none\" data-video-ad-unit=\"videoplayer\" data-video-blacklisted-originator-ids=\"\" data-video-id=\"ref:ede24a18-64c6-4e4e-93c8-9a490c8b0af1\" data-video-type=\"\" data-auto-pause-on-not-visible=\"\" data-defer-source=\"\" tabindex=\"-1\" data-closed-captions-position=\"\" data-show-closed-captions=\"true\" data-show-pip=\"\" data-show-live-stream-scrubber=\"\" data-autoload=\"\" data-testid=\"sitewide-video\">\n<div class=\"sdc-site-video__inner\">\n<div class=\"sdc-site-video__content\" data-role=\"bridge-controller\" style=\"padding-bottom: calc(100% \/ ());\">\n<p class=\"sdc-site-video__accessibility-message\" data-role=\"accessibility-message\">Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player<\/p>\n<p>          <span aria-hidden=\"true\" data-role=\"poster\" class=\"sdc-site-video__poster\"><br \/>\n            <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/08\/768x432\/skysports-celtic-martin-oneill_7333670.jpg?20260828150111\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/08\/768x432\/skysports-celtic-martin-oneill_7333670.jpg?20260828150111 600w,https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/08\/1600x900\/skysports-celtic-martin-oneill_7333670.jpg?20260828150111\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sdc-site-video__poster-img excluded-image\" data-testid=\"sitewide-video-poster\"\/><br \/>\n          <span class=\"sdc-site-video__loader\" data-testid=\"sitewide-video-loader\"\/><\/p>\n<p>          <\/span><\/p>\n<p>          <video id=\"id_ede24a18-64c6-4e4e-93c8-9a490c8b0af1\" data-embed=\"default\" data-application-id=\"\" class=\"video-js sdc-site-video__tag\" controls=\"\" playsinline=\"\" data-testid=\"sitewide-video-video\"\/>\n        <\/div><figcaption class=\"sdc-site-video__caption ui-media-caption\">\n<p>          <span class=\"ui-media-caption__caption-text\" data-role=\"caption-text\" data-testid=\"sitewide-video-caption\">Celtic manager Martin O&#8217;Neill admits it will be strange to face Rangers at Ibrox with no away fans after the SPFL imposed a ban.<\/span><br \/>\n        <\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&#8220;Looking forward to it in the usual way, nervously looking forward to it, excitedly looking forward to it. It&#8217;s a great fixture.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;ll be strange in many aspects not to have any away fans in our area. I always felt as if it would give you a crumb of comfort in some description, but it is what it is.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We had police come in today, just a little 15-minute meeting with us, just reminders of our behaviour, which I think is actually a timely reminder, it&#8217;s a good thing as well.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I think it&#8217;s the overall picture. Gosh, it&#8217;d be nice to have something to celebrate. I think it&#8217;s just general behaviour from us.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The games themselves almost take care of themselves in that sense.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;There&#8217;s a great atmosphere. The league game that we played, 2-0 down early on in proceedings and Ibrox probably as loud as it&#8217;s ever been and a really great atmosphere reciprocated by us in the little split game as well too, I thought that was really great.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;But I just think it&#8217;ll be a bit strange not having the fans in, but as I say, the atmosphere takes care of itself.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skysports.com\/football\/news\/36621\/13584331\/rangers-vs-celtic-key-talking-points-ahead-of-first-old-firm-clash-of-season-with-league-cup-semi-final-spot-at-stake\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It is the first Old Firm clash of the season and there is a League&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4166,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4454","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sport"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4454","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4454"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4454\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4166"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4454"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4454"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4454"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}